Is the Universe Like the Inside Of A Spherical Mirror

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the visual effects and reflections experienced when observing from the center of a large spherical mirror, particularly in relation to human perception and geometry. It includes considerations of light sources and the potential for different shapes of mirrors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what a person would see when positioned at the center of a large spherical mirror, considering the nature of reflections and colors visible.
  • Another participant humorously inquires about the presence of light in the scenario.
  • A subsequent reply confirms the presence of light, suggesting it is offset from the center, and proposes an alternative mirror design that allows light in but not out.
  • A participant references existing online resources, including a simulator, and suggests that a cylindrical mirror might also be sufficient for studying the effects of reflections.
  • It is proposed that if the observer's eye is at the center, they would see their eye lens, while an off-center position would result in seeing a magnified point of their body, elongated in one direction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying ideas about the nature of reflections and the role of light, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a consensus on the specifics of the visual experience.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about light behavior and mirror geometry are not fully explored, and the discussion does not resolve the implications of using different types of mirrors.

Godswitch
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If a spherical mirror was constructed large enough to hold a human with, let's say 20 feet all round, and assuming once positioned centrally and you could see what would your reflection look like?

And by that I am asking just what would you see, would you see any other colour apart from the point of focus and what you were looking at, if you were looking directly ahead, would that not be the back of your head or infact an entire image of your body in 3D form laid out in a flat 2D form or would the reflection be intelligible...?
 
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Is there a light? :P
 
TylerH said:
Is there a light? :P

Yes there is a light, situated offset centre of the sphere. Alternatively the mirrored surface is a 2 way allowing light in but not out, hence.
 
There are several instance of this question on Internet.
Here is a java applet simulator (I don't know if it's accurate). You can move both blue circles (eye and target).
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/Curriculum/Geometry/MirrorSphere.shtml

I don't think you need a spherical mirror though, a cylinder should suffice to study the effects.
 
If your eye were at the center, you'd see the black color of your eye lens no matter which direction you looked. If your eye were off-center, you would approximately see one point on your body in extreme magnification, but it would be elongated in one direction.
 

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